Alphabet educational toy



A. CHRISTIAN ALPHABET EDUCATIONAL TOY Filed April 4, 1966 Oct. 29, 1968 INVENITOR ALPHA (NMI) CHRISTIAN BY M Z. ATTbRNEY. I

FIG. 3

United States Patent 3,407,514 ALPHABET EDUCATIONAL TOY V I Alpha Christian, Marlow, Okla assignor of one-half to Earl L. Barr, Duncan, Okla.

Filed Apr. 4, 1966, Ser. No. 546,115 2 Claims. (Cl. 35-35) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention embodies a set of cylindrical or conical blocks, which are adapted to be moved in a longitudinal and or rotary direction. Letters of the alphabet are placed on the surface of each block, so that by a combination of longitudinal and rotary movements simple words may be formed; thus imparting an educational aspect to a childs play and amusement. Means are provided to prevent separation of the blocks, which are so constructed so as to remain in the position desired.

This invention relates to an educational toy and more particularly to toy blocks for children utilizing the letters of the alphabet in unique arrangements.

Present toys of this nature are usually cubes, are numerous and present problems of storage and untidiness when not in use. Also, a single letter on each face of the separate blocks makes it difficult for a child to readily find the particular letter or combinations desired and as a result the child becomes frustrated, loses patience and interest.

The present invention eliminates the foregoing disadvantages to a remarkable degree.

Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a unique, attractive and educational toy for children.

It is another object of this invention to teach a child the letters of the alphabet and the construction of simple words.

It is still another object of this invention to provide such a toy in the nature of cylindrical blocks.

Further objects of this invention are to provide a toy that is interesting, entertaining and easy to store when not in use.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following description, read in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is an isometric view which illustrates the features and principles of the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view in elevation illustrating the unique details of the invention.

Figure 3 is a sectional view in elevation illustrating another embodiment of the details of the invention.

Figure 4 is an isometric view illustrating the collapsed and storage position of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, the complete top of the invention is illustrated according to a preferred embodiment as comprising a series of telescoping cylindrical blocks indicated generally by the reference character in Figures 1 and 2. The base block or container 12 is preferably a cylinder about three inches in diameter and about two inches in height. However, these dimension are only employed herein for convenience and illustration, as it is readily apparent that the size may be varied as desired. It is preferred that the base block 12 be closed at the bottom or lower portion, so that when a lid 12 as shown in Figure 4, the toy is compact in its own container. Around the circumference of the base block 12 the letters ALPHABET are placed equidistantly and serves to merely identify the toy either in its extended position as shown in Figure 1 or in its collapsed or storage position as shown in Figure 4.

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Placed inside of the base block 12 area series of successively less diameter cylindrical blocks 14, 16, 18, etc., so arranged as to provide a snug fit. For the purpose of illustration, each successive block 14, 16, etc. is approximately of one-eighth inch less diameter than the preceding block.

As shown in Figure 1, letters of the alphabet are placed on the exterior surface of the cylindrical blocks in the following preferred manner: four letters on blocks 14, 16, 18, etc.; and then three letters on blocks 30 and 32, thus'utilizing a total of thirty-five letters in this arrangement. It is' preferred to repeat the more commonly used letters on the different blocks, such as the vowels. If desired, more letters may be used by adding more blocks to the arrangement. Each of the blocks 14, 16, etc. is to be provided with at least one blank space of a size equal to that occupied by a letter. For example on block 14 there are five equal spaces around the circumference; in four of which are placed letters of the alphabet and the fifth space is blank. The blank spaces on each of the successive blocks facilitates the formation of words within the limitation of the letters used in any particular embodiment, as is readily perceived.

As shown in Figure 2, each block 12, 14, 16, etc. is provided with a lower lip 11 and an upper lip 13, which are adapted to prevent the assembled toy 10 from being pulled apart into separate and loose members when in the extended or a telescoped position and thereby enhancing the simplicity of operation, usefulness and enjoyment of the toy.

Figure 3 illustrates a modified version of the toy 10 of the invention, wherein the blocks 12, 14, 16, etc. are conical or tapered, similar to a collapsible drinking cup (inverted). In this embodiment the blocks 12, 14, 16, etc. are held in the extended position and separation prevented by friction and the tapered construction; thus the lips 11 and 13 are not required.

If desired, each block 14, 16, 18, etc. may have pictures of distinctive species, such as a doll, bird, cat, dog, gun, tank, etc. interposed between the letters. Such pictures add to the enjoyment, interest and education of the child in using the invention.

The operation of the toy 10 is relatively simple and can be used and enjoyed by a child as soon as he or she is able to grasp and manipulate objects. At the outset the toy 10 should be given to a child for amusement and orientation. For use, the lid 12' is removed from the container 12 and the blocks 14, 16, etc. are pulled to the extended position by inserting a finger in the smallest or inner block 32 and pulled out to the position shown in Figures 1 and 2, and as illustrated in Figure 3. Each block is rotated as desired and various arrangements of the letters in alphabetical or other sequence is performed. Simple words, such as dog, cat, bird, etc. may be formed. For example, the letter C is selected on the lowest block on which it appears; next the letter A is selected on a block above and rotated and placed above C; then the letter T is selected on the next block on which it appears and is placed above A by rotating the block containing the T. Thus the word CAT is formed. It the successive letters are not on the block immediately above the preceding one selected, the blank spaces on the intermediate blocks are placed above the letter previously selected until the desired letter is found and properly placed. The word formed may appear vertically as, CAT, C-A-T, C-A--T, etc. When it is desired to discontinue the use of the toy 10, the blocks 12, 14, etc. are collapsed into the container 12 and the lid 12' is installed.

It is readily apparent that the invention can be constructed of any suitable, light weight and non-shatterable material, such as plastic, wood, aluminum, etc.

been shown and'described above, the invention is not to be limited to the details illustrated and described, except as defined by the appended claims.

\I claim; e v

-1. An educational toy comprising a cylindrical container, a closure for said container, a series of cylindrical blocks, each successively smaller in diameter placed in said container and in each successively small block, each of said blocks containing certain letters of the alphabet, said blocks adapted to be extended outwardly from said container, stop means on each of said blocks for preventing separation from each other and from said container, said blocks each being movable in a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction with respect to said container and each other, whereby selected letters may be aligned to form words. I

2. An educational toy comprising a truncated conical container, a closure for said container, a series 'of truncated conical blocks, each. successively smaller in diameter placed in said container and in each successively smaller truncated conical block each of said blocks containing certain letters of the-alphabet, said blocks adapted to be extended outwardly from said container and inseparable therefrom and from each other, said blocks each beingmovable in a clockwise and a counterclock Wise direction with respect to said container and each other, wherebyselected letters may be aligned to form Words. r r I References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 261,912 8/1882 Crandall 3s 72 264,066 9/1882 Crandall 35-71 595,455 12/1897 Glidden 35-72 2,275,711 3/1942 Ybanez 116-67 FOREIGN PATENTS 396,175 8/1933 Great Britain.

20 EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner.

W. H. GRIEB, Assistant Examiner. 

